Daphniphyllum macropodum v. humile is my favorite plant in the garden, this week...

The second, which could (by then) be considered an infatuation, was during a very cold visit to Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden in January of 2011. While I'm a sucker for the large leaves it's the pink petioles that draw me to this plant over and over.

There's not really much information out there on the daphniphyllums (common name redneck rhododendron, which I have to think is a play on the very coloring up which I'm excited about). The hardiness of this broad-leaved evergreen shrub (or small tree) seems to fall somewhere between USDA Zones 7/8 and 9. They prefer part sun to part shade and even moisture. Louis the Plant Geek says "Ultimately to fifteen or even twenty feet tall; in Japan, where it's native, reportedly up to forty. In colder climates, to five or six feet tall and wide." That's quite the spread, no?

So of course I want to know what plant(s) you're particularly enamored with in your own garden, and just a reminder that next Friday (the last Friday of the month) is the round up of favorites. Be it one, two, four or more I hope you'll link to your posts here, on the 28th of November.

Those pink petioles are fun. I just love the variegated version, though! One of the best variegated plants, in my opinion. The ones I saw at PDN were mostly in the 15-20 feet range, but the hotter summers there (and in other east coast locales like DC) harden off the growth of plants like these better than typical PNW summers, making them hardier for winter.

Ok, you've convinced me... I love this plant! I have a plant that makes me think about this one because of its evergreen leaves with pink-red petioles (Prunus lusitanica) (although pictures on internet don´t show the red petioles very well).

I'm pretty much obsessed with this plant. I bought some seeds from France and 3 of 5 germinated, have some leftover. So far I'm unsure about my next move. I'm in Bulgaria, south enough for Europe, though cold enough in winter (normally -18 lowest, arctic anti/cyclones), then hot and dry summer.